Dingeldein arts honor bestowed on couple

When Dr. Jean and Nona Chapman talk about art, their love for it is palpable.

The retired allergist contends he received more personal benefit from a college art history class than some of his medical courses. His wife beams as she describes seeing new faces at local gallery openings, especially those of young people just discovering their passions.

They're in their element at concerts and in studios, around people who appreciate culture.

"I think the arts are enriching to people's lives in this monotonous world of chain stores, television and radio," Dr. Chapman said Friday.

It was just hours before the couple accepted the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri's most prestigious honor, the Otto Dingeldein Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts.

Arts council executive director Rebecca Fulgham said she received multiple nominations for the Chapmans. In presenting the award during the intermission of a St. Louis Brass Quintet concert at Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, she discussed the Chapmans' accomplishments as individuals.

Cape native

Dr. Chapman is a lifelong Cape Girardeau resident, and Mrs. Chapman moved to the city while in high school.

The county medical society named an allergy symposium in the physician's honor. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology named a lecture series for him.

A strong supporter of arts programs for children, he is a distinguished painter and sculptor in the Cat Ranch Arts Guild, a regional group with about 50 members.

Mrs. Chapman is most recognized for her singing, but her talents also lie in carving, ceramics, weaving and spinning. She serves on the Southeast Missouri State University Symphony Board and plays in the school's flute choir.

She shares her husband's interest in allergies -- she is certified by Harvard University as a pollen and mold counter. Southeast students long ago became accustomed to the sight of her taking readings from atop Magill Hall, where science classes are held.

"It's a different city from up there," she said.

Both serve on the arts council's board of directors.

Dingeldein, a silversmith, founded the council in the 1960s and, in 1975, became the first recipient of the award. He was Dr. Chapman's patient and hounded his physician to join the arts council's board of directors for years to no avail. Although members of the council for many years, the Chapmans joined the board just three years ago.

Dingeldein died in 1991.

The criteria for winning the Dingeldein award include: support of or participation in the arts, enrichment of the community through personal achievements and length of time involved in arts-related activities.

Last year's Dingeldein winner was Dr. Gary Miller, chairman of the Southeast music department and an organ recitalist.

hhall@semissourian.com

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